Shanghai Electric

Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited, one of China’s largest state-owned industrial conglomerates, has expanded into the medical rehabilitation robotics sector through its dedicated subsidiary, Shanghai Electric Intelligent Rehabilitation Medical Technology Co., Ltd. Established in June 2018, this subsidiary focuses on developing high-end rehabilitation robots and intelligent medical solutions for stroke recovery and neurological rehabilitation.

Company Profile

Shanghai Electric traces its origins to 1880, making it one of China’s oldest industrial enterprises. Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (601727.SH), the group operates across multiple sectors including power generation equipment, industrial equipment, and integrated services. The company’s entry into rehabilitation robotics represents a strategic diversification into the growing healthcare technology market.

The rehabilitation robotics initiative began in 2013 when Shanghai Electric established its Robotics Research Laboratory. The laboratory initially focused on mobile lower-extremity rehabilitation robots before expanding to fixed-base systems and upper-limb devices. After five years of research and development, the group formalized its commitment by establishing the dedicated Intelligent Rehabilitation subsidiary.

Product Portfolio

NaturaGait Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Robot

The NaturaGait 1.0 weight reduction gait training and evaluation system represents Shanghai Electric’s flagship rehabilitation product. Featuring a fixed-base mechanical structure, this lower-extremity robot provides patients with enhanced freedom of movement during rehabilitation training. The system has been deployed in clinical settings at major Shanghai hospitals including Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center).

Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation Robot

The upper-extremity rehabilitation training and evaluation system complements the lower-limb product line. Designed for shoulder, elbow, and wrist rehabilitation, this robot assists physiotherapists in conducting structured rehabilitation programs while collecting quantitative assessment data.

Mobile Lower-Extremity Robot

Building on its research into portable rehabilitation devices, Shanghai Electric has developed a mobile lower-extremity robot featuring a wearable exoskeleton design. Unlike fixed-base systems, this product allows patients to practice gait rehabilitation with actual body displacement.

Technical Capabilities

Shanghai Electric’s rehabilitation robotics program has generated approximately 30 patent applications and multiple software copyrights. Key technological achievements include:

• Biomechanics-based exoskeleton mechanism design
• Weight reduction through dynamic structural systems
• Quantification and evaluation algorithms for rehabilitation strategy parameters
• Multi-sensor integration for movement tracking

The research team comprises specialists from biomedicine, robotics automation, equipment manufacturing, avionics testing, and industrial design backgrounds.

Market Presence

Shanghai Electric’s rehabilitation robots have been deployed in clinical research programs at multiple medical institutions in Shanghai:

• Shanghai Jing’an Central Hospital
• Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital
• Huashan Hospital
• Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
• Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)
• Shanghai First Rehabilitation Hospital

The company positions its products as high-end rehabilitation solutions targeting the institutional healthcare market, with particular focus on stroke recovery and neurological rehabilitation applications.

Milestone Events

• 2013: Robotics Research Laboratory established within Shanghai Electric
• 2015: Research initiated on fixed-base lower-extremity rehabilitation robots
• 2016: Prototype development completed for upper and lower-extremity robots
• 2017: Product room established for rehabilitation robot commercialization
• 2018: Shanghai Electric Intelligent Rehabilitation Medical Technology Co., Ltd. formally established
• 2018: Products showcased at China (Shanghai) International Medical Devices Exhibition and i-CREATe 2018

Key Information

What is Shanghai Electric’s product portfolio?

Shanghai Electric offers NaturaGait Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Robot, Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation Robot, and Mobile Lower-Extremity Robot for different applications.

What is Shanghai Electric’s market presence?

Shanghai Electric is expanding its commercial footprint with installations at leading medical centers.

When will Shanghai Electric go public?

Shanghai Electric’s IPO application is under review by relevant authorities.